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Hazelnuts grown in the South Island are at the heart of the 2024 Wellington Chocolate Factory x Karen Walker collaboration, Raspberry & Rose Milk Chocolate Hazelnuts, showcasing local produce once again for the fifth annual collaboration between two of Aotearoa’s iconic brands.
This annual collaboration between the world-renowned fashion designer and New Zealand’s first craft chocolate maker is inspired by the Runaway Menagerie print from Walker’s archive, featuring the infamous cat, Babou. On the first bite, the chocolate-covered hazelnuts deliver a short, sharp tang of freeze-dried raspberries, followed by the satisfying hazelnut crunch, ending with Wellington Chocolate Factory’s (WCF) classic milk chocolate infused with a delicate hint of rose petals.
More than 130 kilos of hazelnuts have been harvested from South Island orchards to create the new product. WCF is working closely with Marlborough-based family-owned business Uncle Joe’s to source the nuts. Owners Deb Whiteside and Alan Crawford swapped the public service for hazelnuts a few years ago and are passionate about growing New Zealand’s burgeoning industry.
“We want more Kiwis to know about the quality of what we produce locally.
“We have a group of committed growers across the countrywho love what they do, and collectively, we’re working hard to grow demand for locally grown hazelnuts – we’re very excited to be part of this collaboration,” she says.
Karen Walker adds, “It’s always a thrill to work with such skilled artisans who care as deeply about their craft as we do. This collaboration brings together our shared commitment to quality and creativity in a way that feels special in every bite.”
Gabe Davidson, co-founder of WCF, says partnering with local growers is an obvious choice.
“Over a decade ago, we launched Aotearoa’s first bean-to-bar chocolate to show Kiwis what’s possible on home soil – I believe NZ makes some of the world’s most delicious products and food. Locally grown hazelnuts are fresh and taste exceptional – it was a natural fit for us to work with local growers and highlight what they produce in creating our Raspberry & Rose Milk Chocolate Hazelnuts,” he says.
The limited edition Raspberry & Rose Milk Chocolate Hazelnuts feature 48% cocoa. They can be purchased from Karen Walker stores, WCF at Eva Street, online at both WCF and Karen Walker’s websites and from selected retailers, including Moore Wilsons and Farro Fresh. To celebrate the launch, Karen Walker and WCF are also giving away a year’s worth of WCF chocolate worth $650.
